System and method to power an electric-powered device using light energy

ABSTRACT

A system for and method of powering an electric-powered device associated with a vehicle is described that utilizes an adapter that receives current from an energy-converting cell and the vehicle battery. The adapter may forward current to the device from either one or a combination of the two current sources thereby charging or operating the device.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/964,687,filed Sep. 28, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,566,842 which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a system for and method of poweringa device using light energy. More particularly, the present invention isdirected to a system for and method of charging or operating anelectric-powered device in a vehicle using light energy.

2. Background of the Invention

Conventional vehicles typically are equipped with outlet power sockets,such as cigarette-lighter sockets or 12-volt power outlet sockets, whichmay be used to extend power to electric-powered devices. A suitableelectrical connector may be extended between such a power-providingsocket and the device to charge or operate the device.

Such devices used in or in association with a vehicle typically areportable and restricted in power intake such that the available 12 voltpower source from a vehicle is sufficient to operate the devices fortheir intended purpose. Such exemplary devices include, but are notlimited to, mobile telephones, televisions, stereos, compact discplayers, video cassette players and recorders, air freshening devices,spotlights, electric grills and barbecues, refrigerators, and the like.

However, the constant use of the vehicle's battery to power such devicesmay result in eventual power loss in the vehicle battery. If the powerin a vehicle battery is sufficiently drained, the battery may become tooweak to operate the vehicle or may become “dead” altogether.Conventional vehicles do not have any means to minimize the power uptakefrom the vehicle battery when operating such devices.

Furthermore, conventional methods of powering such electric-powereddevices typically do not allow for alternative sources of power to thedevice, such as, for example, light from the sun.

Therefore, an alternative power system and method, other than using avehicle's battery power system and method as described above, aredesirable.

Furthermore, it would be desirable for an alternative power system to beusable to supplement or supersede power available from the battery of avehicle, to minimize power uptake from the vehicle battery.

It also would be desirable to use an alternative power system that usespower from the battery of a vehicle as a secondary source, therebyreducing the depletion of power from the battery.

Finally, it also would be desirable to use power from sources that donot harm the environment or result in high expense to an operator orowner of the vehicle. It further would be desirable to use a powersource that does not deplete any of the earth's natural resources and,instead, is capable of using energy from an inexhaustible source, suchas the sun.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system and method for powering anelectric-powered device in or associated with a vehicle. The systemcomprises a light-energy transforming cell, such as a photovoltaic cell,that can convert light energy incident upon the cell into electriccurrent. The cell is connectable to an electric-powered device via anadapter that has a standard 12-volt output socket. The cell may besupported by a support structure, such as a portable sunshade, that maybe positioned inside of the vehicle, where the support structure can beprotected from theft or damage from external factors. Alternatively, thecell may be supported by a support structure, such as a vehicle cover,that may be positioned outside of the vehicle, where the supportstructure may not be integral with the vehicle and is attachable to thevehicle through connecting means.

Exemplary embodiments of other support structures, either inside of thevehicle or outside of the vehicle, used for supporting the cells, arepossible, and are described below. During use, light from an ambientsource that reaches the cell induces the cell to convert light energyinto electric current, which is carried by an electrical connector tothe adapter, which is connected to the electric-powered device throughsuitable electrical connectors, thereby powering the device.

The present invention addresses and overcomes the drawbacks of having torely solely on the battery of a vehicle to provide power to anelectric-powered device used in or in connection to a vehicle.

Thus, the present invention provides numerous advantages, includingproviding power to an electric-powered device at virtually any locationwith a sufficient light source.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a systemfor using light energy to power an electric-powered device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system thatis easy to install and operate, and economical to use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system thatmay be used anywhere there is a sufficient light source to cause theenergy transforming cells to produce electric current.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a methodthat is easy to follow and requires minimal steps to implement.

It is a further advantage of the present system to provide a method forusing light energy to power an electric-powered device.

It is another object of the present invention to use solar energy as alight source to power an electric-powered device.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparentupon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

The advantages and purpose of the invention will be set forth in part inthe description that follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theadvantages and purpose of the invention will be realized and attained bymeans of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system for powering anelectric-powered device.

FIG. 2 is a light-facing side of an exemplary embodiment of theinvention in the form of a conventional vehicle sunshade.

FIG. 3 is the opposite side of the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a cell chamber wherein alight-transforming cell 100 is housed in accordance with one embodimentof this invention.

FIGS. 5a, 5 b, and 5 c show a side perspective view of exemplaryembodiments of this invention.

FIG. 6a is a side plan view of a power system for an electric-powereddevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6b is a schematic diagram of a smart switch that regulates currentflow, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a power system for an electric-powereddevice according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a power system for an electric-powereddevice according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this disclosure, the term “power” is used to generallydescribe providing sufficient energy to a device so that the device canoperate, or is put into a better state to operate, for its intendedpurpose. The term “power” includes, for example, but is not limited to,charging a device and operating a device. Included in the definition of“power” is the situation in which a device is not given sufficient powerto operate for its intended purpose, but the device is put into a betterenergy state. A non-limiting example of this scenario is when a floodlight is not powered enough to be fully bright but is given even a minorlevel of power that enables it to provide some, albeit, weak level,light. Thus, any transfer of any level of power, even at a weakenedlevel, to an electric-powered device is within the scope of the term“power” as used throughout this disclosure.

Throughout this disclosure, the term “vehicle” is used to generallydescribe any machine, typically used for transport, that obtainssubstantial power for transport through an electric power source, suchas, for example, a battery. Similarly, an electric-powered device isdefined as a device that obtains substantial power for operation throughan electric power source.

As used herein, “substantial power” in reference to the electric powersource means that without the electric power source, the vehicle ordevice would not be operable for its intended purpose.

Typical vehicles may include, but are not limited to having, adesignated space for an operator, such as a driver or conductor. Suchvehicles may include, but are not limited to, automobiles, trucks,buses, tractors, dune buggies, motorcycles, scooters, ships, boats, jetskis, airplanes, helicopters, trains, trolleys, gondolas, and the like.Other machines included in the definition of “vehicle”, as used hereinto describe the invention of the present application, and used inconjunction with the present invention, typically may not have adesignated space for an operator. Such typical vehicles without adesignated space for an operator include, but are not limited to: lawnmowers; farm equipment; any remote-controlled machines, such as forexample, cars, planes, helicopters, boats, and motorcycles; and thelike. The vehicle, as described above, may be gasoline-powered,electric-powered, solar-powered, a hybrid, or powered by other means.

The present invention provides a system and method for powering, suchas, for example, charging or operating, an electric-powered device givena sufficient light source. Using a light source, such as, for example,but not limited to, light from the sun, the system and method of thepresent invention promotes the charge or operation of anelectric-powered device. The device may be operated while the vehicle isstationary, such as, for example, in a parking lot at the work place ofits operator, or while the vehicle is parked at a beach park. The devicealso may be charged or operated while the vehicle is in motion. Theoperator of a vehicle may allow the device to be charged or operatedwhile the vehicle is parked anywhere there is sufficient light togenerate power via an energy converting means, such as, for example, acell.

As used throughout this disclosure, a “cell”, may be, for example, adevice, an apparatus, a contraption, a gadget, or the like that iscapable of receiving light from any light source and converting energyreceived from the light source into electric current, either AC or DC.As just one non-limiting example, photovoltaic cells may be used totransform energy from a light source into electric current. In anon-limiting exemplary embodiment, photovoltaic cells may be used tocollect power from available light, such as sunlight, and outputcurrent, created from the transformation of light into current, tocharge or operate a device.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplaryembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In the illustrated embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 1, a system 150 isshown for powering an electric-powered device 161, in or associated witha vehicle 130, via an energy-converting means, such as, for example, acell 100. The cell 100, as defined above, may be, for example, anydevice that can transform light energy 142 from a light source 140 thatemits a light 141 into electrical current, which is then used to powerthe device 161. One such cell 100 may be, for example, a photovoltaiccell, such as silicon photovoltaic cells, gallium arsenide photovoltaiccells, amorphous silicon photovoltaic cells, cadmium sulfidephotovoltaic cells, or other semiconductor photovoltaic cells. However,cell 100 is not limited to photovoltaic cells and may be any type ofgenerator that can transform light energy into DC or AC electric power.

The light source 140 may be any source that emits any natural orartificial light energy, including, for example, but not limited to, thesun, fluorescent light sources, incandescent light sources, flames,reflections, lasers, and the like.

The light 141 emitted by the light source 140 may generally light thesurrounding of the light source 140, such as, for example, aconventional light bulb. Alternatively, the light source 140 may beconcentrated to direct the light 141 in a given light path, such as byflood lights or lasers.

The light energy 142 detected by the cell 100 may have been generated asa result of light 141 from a single light source 140 or multiple lightsources of the same or different types, as described above. The lightenergy may be continuous, such as from a continuous light 141 from alight source 140, or it may be discontinuous, as from a flickering orflashing light 141 from a flickering or flashing light source 140.

The energy-converting cell 100 is in communication with acurrent-controlling means, such as an adapter 151, typically through oneor more current carrying means or devices, such as an electricalconnector 110. The adapter 151 allows current received from the cell 100to be routed to one or more electric-powered devices 161 throughsuitable connectors 162. Connectors 110, 117, and 162 may be, forexample, but are not limited to, electrical wires or cables.

The adapter 151 also may be positioned in a receiving socket 111 in thevehicle 130. The receiving socket is capable of transferring currentfrom the battery 120 of the vehicle 130 to the adapter 151, therebyproviding an additional source of current for the device 161.

The connection between the connector 117 and the battery 120 may be acontact area 121 that allows the connector 117 to electrically connectwith interior components of the battery 120. This contact area 121 maybe directly on the surface of the battery 120, such as, for example,posts on a battery. However, the contact area 121 may also be interiorof the battery 120.

The system 150 may be implemented on a number of cell support means,such as, for example, portable platforms. One exemplary embodiment of aplatform placed inside of a vehicle is a conventional sunshade,typically placed inside the front windshield or other window of avehicle to block out the radiation effects of the sun, maintain a coolerinterior of the vehicle, and preserve the interior materials from fadingand cracking. FIG. 2 depicts such a sunshade 200. A conventionalsunshade 200 typically has a number of creases 202 that enable thesunshade to easily fold into a substantially flat configuration for easeof handling and storing while not in use. The sunshade 200 may have anumber of panels 203 separated by the creases 202. The panels 203 may beof substantially equal dimensions and are folded on top of each otherwhen the sunshade is folded, in an accordion-like fashion.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a sunshade 200 is depictedhaving one or more energy transforming cells 100 that are positioned sothat their light-receiving sides are adjacent a designated front side201 of the sunshade 200. Each cell 100 may be covered by a protectivesheet 214, which will be described in more detail below.

The sunshade 200 also may have a back side 202, as shown in FIG. 3,which is opposite the front side 201. The back side 202 may support oneor more electrical connectors 213, which may be, for example, electricalconnecting wires or cables, that lead into an output connector 210,which may be the same as cable 110, or electrically connected to cable110. Output connector 210 may carry a sum current to the adapter 151created by all the currents generated by each cell 100 and delivered tothe output connector 210 via individual electrical connectors 213. Theoutput connector 210 may be attached to a convenient corner or side ofthe sunshade 200. All connectors 110, 117, 210, 213 may be attached toadjacent structures through suitable attaching means, such as, forexample, glue, epoxy, tape, fasteners, snaps, pins, or the like. Forexample, wires 213 may be attached to the back 202 of the sunshade 200through a suitable attaching means, such as epoxy. Care must be taken toensure that the attaching means does not interfere with the function ofthe connectors.

The cell 100 may be attached to the front side 201 of the sunshade 200,as depicted in FIG. 4. The cell 100 typically attaches to the front side201 by suitable attaching means, such as those described above, such asfor attaching the wires 213 to the back 202 of the sunshade 200.Alternatively, the cell 100 may be supported by the sunshade 200 bybeing partially inserted into the body of the sunshade 200 by asupporting opening, such as a hole (not shown). In the alternativeembodiment using a supporting hole, a friction fit may be sufficient topromote support of the cell 100 onto the sunshade 200. Furthermore, caremust be taken to ensure that the attaching means for attaching the cell100 to the sunshade 200 does not adversely affect the function orintegrity of the cell 100 or sunshade 200.

An opening, such as a hole 215 in the sunshade 200, typically largeenough to pass the wire 213 therethrough, passes from the cell 100 onthe front side 201 to the back side 202 of the sunshade 200. Aprotective cover 214, such as a sheet, may be used to protect the cell100 from external elements that may cause damage to the cell 100. Forexample, the protective sheet 214 may protect against damage from dust,debris, moisture, liquids, and the like, that may cause damage to thecell 100. Furthermore, the protective sheet 214 further promotes thestable positioning of the cell 100 on the surface of the sunshade 200.The protective sheet 214 is translucent to let light therethrough to thecell 100, and is preferably relatively sturdy to protect the cell 100from external contaminants, as listed above. Exemplary protective sheetsmay be composed of, for example, a clear glass or plastic, preferably amaterial that is transparent in the near-infrared, visible, and near-UVregions of the spectrum. The edges of the protective sheet 214 may besecured to the sunshade 200 through conventional securing means known inthe art, such as, for example, epoxies or other adherents, tape, staple,clip, fastener, or the like.

The exemplary embodiment of this invention in the form of a sunshade 200described above and depicted in FIGS. 2-4 is only one example of theimplementation of the present invention and is not intended to belimiting of the invention. The conventional sunshade 200 is a suitablesupport structure for the device of the present invention because it isuniversally available and easy to position within a vehicle to beexposed to maximum sunlight. However, the present invention may be usedwith any vehicle, as defined above, and attached to any suitablematerial associated with the vehicle that is capable of supporting theinvention and wherein the cells 100 are exposed to light energy.

Exemplary embodiments of the system of the invention may be incorporatedinto: a permanently-fixed device outside of the vehicle, as shown inFIG. 5a and described in more detail below; a portable device outside ofthe vehicle, as shown in FIG. 5b and described in more detail below; ora permanent or portable device inside of the vehicle, as shown in FIG.5c and described in more detail below.

The exemplary embodiment described above is used in conjunction with aconventional, lightweight, and portable device, placed inside of avehicle, such as a sunshade 200, to promote ease in understanding theinvention as a power system 150. However, the power system 150 also maybe used in conjunction with other cell support means, such as, forexample, conventional, lightweight, and portable devices, placed on theoutside of a vehicle, such as a conventional vehicle cover 400, such asfor an automobile 135, as depicted in FIG. 5b. An advantage ofincorporating the power system 150 of the invention with a supportstructure that is outside of a vehicle, such as a vehicle cover 400, isthat there is a greater surface area to enable larger numbers of cells100 to be supported thereon. Furthermore, the cover 400 also can keepthe entire automobile 135 cool by protecting the vehicle's exteriorfinish and interior components.

The sunshade 200, positioned inside of a vehicle, and the cover 400,positioned outside of a vehicle, are exemplary embodiments of the system150 of the present invention being incorporated into temporary devicesthat are not typically permanently part of a vehicle. Such devices aretypically portable, lightweight and relatively inexpensive. Thus, anowner of a vehicle may be able to purchase such temporary devices havinga system 150 incorporated therein from stores that typically sell suchafter-market devices.

There may be persons who would want to have the system 150 of thepresent invention already permanently incorporated into a vehicle, alsoconsidered “inside” of the vehicle as defined above, electing not to buysuch a system through the after-market. Thus, alternatively, the powersystem 150 of the invention may be made part of a cell support meansthat is a relatively fixed component of a vehicle, such as theautomobile 135 depicted in FIG. 5c. Examples of such relatively fixedcomponents include, but are not limited to: a conventional sun/moon roof(and/or sun/moon roof sliding shield, which is typically positionedbetween the glass and an operator) 300; a back shelf 500 just inside aback windshield of a vehicle 135; a front dashboard area 501 just insidethe front windshield; or along any sides and typically out of driver orpassenger eyesight of glass panes of windshield, side, or quarterwindows, within a holding structure of clear signal or other lights ofthe vehicle; or the like. An advantage of a power system 150 built intorelatively fixed components of a vehicle is that any wiring used for thesystem will be hidden from view and thereby less prone to damage ortheft. Such power systems 150 pre-integrated into fixed components of avehicle may be optional or standard equipment on new vehicles.

In a further embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5a, the system 150 of thepresent invention may be incorporated into a permanently-fixed device502 outside of the vehicle and not integral with the vehicle. Forexample, it may be desirable to have the system 150 be part of a roof orwall of a building structure that is in proximity to a vehicle, but notin, on, or part of the vehicle. Thus, whenever the vehicle is parked at,in, or near such permanently-fixed devices 502, an operator need onlyconnect a suitable connector, such as cable 210 from the device 502 tothe vehicle 135. Garage roofs and doors are suitable examples of suchpermanently-fixed devices 502.

As described above, the adapter 151 is connected between the cell 100and the device 161 through suitable electrical connectors 110 and 162,respectively. The adapter 151 thus enables current generated by the cell100 to travel to and power the device 161.

FIG. 6a shows a system 600 that includes an adapter 151 in connectionwith a cell 100, according to the present invention, in connection witha conventional electric-powered device 161. The adapter 151 may have anoutput means, such as an adapter socket 602, that enables acomplementing end 163 of a connector 162 leading to a device 161 toconnect thereto. Such a complementing end 163 of the connector 162leading to a device 161 may be, for example, but not limited to, aconventional cigarette lighter male plug. Many devices 161 that areintended to be used in or associated with a vehicle 130 typically haveplugs that are shaped to fit into conventional cigarette lightersockets. Thus, it would be preferable to make the adapter socket 602shaped to receive such cigarette lighter male plugs.

During operation of the system of the present invention, incident lightthat is detected by a cell 100 is converted into electric current thatflows through connector 110 to adapter 151. Such generated current isfurther lead into connector 162 through suitable connection, such asthrough the socket 602 to plug 163 combination, between the adapter 151and a connector 162. The current thus flows through the connector 162into the device, powering the device, either for charging or operation.

However, the current generated by the one or more cells 100 may beinsufficient to charge the device 161 at a rate that is satisfactorywith a user, or, insufficient to operate the device 161 for its intendedpurpose. In both examples, it would be necessary to supplement thecharge provided to the device 161 with power from the battery 120 of thevehicle 130. Thus, the adapter 151 also may be equipped with aconnection end 601, such as a conventional cigarette lighter male plug,that connects into a socket 111 of the vehicle 130. The socket 111 ofthe vehicle may be, for example, a conventional cigarette lightersocket. Thus, the adapter 151 may be electrically connected to thebattery 120.

When the adapter 151 is in electrical connection with the battery 120,the adapter 151 may draw in power from two sources, the cell 100 and/orthe battery 120. In such a configuration, the device 161 can be suppliedfrom either one of the two sources of power, or a combination of thetwo. Furthermore, it would be advantageous for a user to control thelevel of power directed into the device 161 such that the consumptionlevel of power generated by the cell 100 is maximized and theconsumption level of power generated by the battery 120 is minimized.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6a, the adapter 151 includes apower selector switch 610 that allows a user to switch between a chargemode, at position 611, and an operate mode at position 612. The selectorswitch 610 may be positioned on the body 603 of the adapter 151. Whenthe selector switch 610 is in the charge position 611, an electricalconnector 613 directs a smart switch 604, described in more detailbelow, to cut off any electrical connection to the battery 120 when anycurrent from the cell 100 is detected. Thus, when the switch 610 is inposition 611, the smart switch 604 chooses to forward current to thedevice 161 either from the battery 120 or the cell 100, not acombination. Furthermore, when the smart switch 604 detects any currentfrom the cell 100, such a current flow will supercede any current fromthe battery 120. Current generated by the cell 100 travels through theconnector 110 until it reaches the body 603 of the adapter 151, at whichpoint the current travels through connector 606 to smart switch 604. Thecurrent then travels through electrical connector 607 inside the adapter151 to socket 602, wherein the plug 163 carries the current to thedevice 161 through connector 162.

The charge setting at position 611 is advantageous when a device 161 isbeing charged over time, such as when a cellular telephone is beingcharged during a car trip. The cellular telephone is charged through theconventional way by attaining power from the battery 120 of the vehicle130 until the cell 100 detects enough light to generate current, atwhich point the smart switch 604 cuts the battery 120 connection to thedevice 161. Only current generated from the cell 100 is forwarded to thedevice 161. Such charging of a device 161 may be at a non-constant rateor at a slower pace than when the device is charged by the battery 120.However, it ensures that minimal tapping of power from the battery 120is maintained. Thus, for charging purposes, position 611 is advantageousto “trickle charge” a device 161 over time without tapping into thebattery 120 power.

However, because power generated by one or more cells 100 may not besufficiently high enough or constant enough to operate a device 100, thecharge option at position 611 typically is more useful when the deviceis being charged, rather than operated. For example, when clouds blockthe view of the sun and the cell 100 does not produce as much current aswhen the sunrays contact the cell 100, the level of current willfluctuate, and thus the level of power produced will fluctuate. Althoughfluctuating current and power is not practical for operating a device161, it is usable to charge the device 161. If there are a plurality ofcells 100 that produce enough charge to operate a device 161, then theswitch 610 may be kept in the 611 position.

Alternatively, the switch 610 may be moved to position 612, which is theoperate position. When the adapter 151 is in the operate position 612,the smart switch 604 is signaled through the connector 613 to draw inenough current from both power sources 100, 120 to produce 12 volts ofpower for the device 161, typically enough to operate devices plugged ina vehicle. The smart switch 604 is programmed to first draw all currentflowing into it through connector 606 and generated by the one or morecells 100. If the sum current flowing into the smart switch 604 throughconnector 606 is insufficient to produce 12 volts of power for thedevice 161, the smart switch will automatically draw in enough currentfrom the battery 120 through connector 605 to make up any deficiency. Inother words, the smart switch 604 will take the current flowing into itfrom the cells 100 and direct such current to the device 161, but makingup any deficiency in current by drawing in the deficient amount ofcurrent from the battery 120.

As a non-limiting example, if the cells 100 generate only enough currentto produce 11 volts of power, the smart switch 604 will automaticallydraw in a sufficient amount of current from the battery 120 to produce asum total of 12 volts. A non-limiting example of a smart switch 604 thatmay be used with this invention is shown in FIG. 6b. The smart switch604 acts as a regulator of current flow coming from multiple currentsources, for example, a solar source entering via a first lead 606, anda battery source entering via a second lead 605. The incoming currentsare regulated by, for example, a diode 651 that can be adjusted toreceive current from a primary source lead 606 and a secondary sourcelead 605 to produce a constant voltage output through an output thirdlead 607 directed to a device 161. Support circuitry 652 can furtherregulate the output voltage to a designated level, such as, for example,12 volts. The smart switch 604 may either be a set of components thattogether can regulate current and voltage as described above, or asingle chip that has all necessary components pre-fabricated in placefor this purpose. Although FIG. 6b shows an exemplary smart switchdesign, other types of smart switches also are possible.

When the adapter 151 is set in the device operate mode, i.e., whenswitch 610 is set to position 612, the device 161 will receive asufficiently constant source of current from the adapter 151 throughplug 163 and connector 162 to enable the device to operate substantiallyas intended. Furthermore, a beneficial effect of using the adapter 151in conjunction with the device 161 is that the draw of power from thebattery 120 of the vehicle 130 is minimized. Thus, the life of thebattery 120 is extended without comprising the function of the device161.

Although the above described exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention have been depicted in the figures with only one adapter 151 orone socket 602, the system of the invention is not limited to suchembodiments. As a non-limiting example, and as depicted in FIG. 7, asystem according to an embodiment of this invention may have two or moreadapters, such as adapters 151 a, 151 b, 151 c, connectable to one ormore cells 100. In such an embodiment, a user will be able to chargeand/or operate multiple devices, each device connected to its ownadapter. A vehicle should have enough sockets to be able to receive eachof the adapters 151 a-151 c. Many conventional vehicles, such asminivans and sports utility vehicles, are equipped with multiple socketsto operate multiple devices. With the system of the present invention,such devices would not have to derive their entire power source from thebattery in the vehicle.

In another exemplary embodiment, a single adapter 151 may have two ormore sockets, such as sockets 602 a, 602 b, and 602 c. When a singleadapter 151 has multiple sockets 602 a-602 c, only one vehicle socket111 is needed, if one is to be used at all. This is beneficial when avehicle has a limited number of sockets 111 but more than one device 161that needs a power boost from an alternative power source other than thebattery 120.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method isdisclosed for powering an electric-powered device 161 using light energy142. Referring to FIG. 1, an energy-transforming cell 100, that issupported on a supporting structure positioned either inside or outsideof the vehicle 130, and that can convert light energy 142 received froma light source 140 into electrical current, is exposed to a such a lightsource 140. Upon exposure to the light energy 142, the cell 100 isinduced to create electric current. The electric current is provided toadapter 151 using one or more connectors, such as connectors 110 and117, thereby powering the device 161. The device 161 also may draw powerfrom the battery 120 through the adapter 151 by an electrical connectionbetween the battery and the adapter. The adapter 151 may be set toforward to the device 161 only current generated by the cell 100 whenany current is generated by the cell 100 and detected by the smartswitch 604, thereby blocking any current from the battery to the device161. Alternatively, the adapter 151 may be set to forward to the device161 any current generated by the cell 100, and additionally draw currentfrom the battery 120 to produce a sum current that culminated in apre-determined voltage, such as 12 volts, for the device 161. Eithermethod may be used to charge the device 161. The latter method may beused to operate the device 161.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the systems and methods ofthe present invention and in construction of this system withoutdeparting form the scope and spirit of the invention. As an example, thesupport material on which one or more converter cells 100 are connectedthereto may be electrically positioned to trap light energy upon turningoff of a vehicle, for example, by vertically moving panels that arepositioned interior of the side glass windows and are vertically movableto block sunlight, hide any valuables inside the vehicle from outsideview, and as described by this invention, trap light energy to chargethe battery. Furthermore, the number of cells 100 on a particularsupporting material or device, such as the exemplary embodimentdepicting a sunshade 200, may be varied, with a greater number of cells100 typically producing a quicker power rate for a device 161, but alsoincreasing the cost and components of the device on which the system 150resides. Thus, the number of cells 100 that should be used on aparticular support structure may be determined by weighing the desirefor higher power rates versus costs associated with increased number ofcells 100. If a vehicle is typically parked or driven in places wherethere is lower available light to produce light energy, a supportstructure for the cells 100 having a higher number of cells 100 is morepractical.

The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations andmodifications of the embodiments described herein will be obvious to oneof ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scopeof the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto,and by their equivalents.

Further, in describing representative embodiments of the presentinvention, the specification may have presented the method and/orprocess of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps.However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on theparticular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process shouldnot be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps maybe possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth inthe specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims.In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of thepresent invention should not be limited to the performance of theirsteps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readilyappreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for powering an electric-powered device,the system comprising: an energy-converting cell that converts lightenergy received from a light source into electrical current; an adapterin communication with the cell and a current source, wherein the adapterreceives current from both the cell and the current source; and anoutlet on the adapter that is connectable to an electric-powered device;wherein the adapter can draw current from either the battery or thecurrent source or a combination thereof and forward any cumulativecurrent as power to the device.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein whenthe adapter detects any current coming from the cell, the adapterprovides the current to the device and shuts off current from thecurrent source.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter receivescurrent from the cell and determines a power output for the current,thereby optionally drawing additional current from the current source tosupplement the current from the cell, to generate a pre-determined powerlevel for the device.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein thepre-determined power level is 12 volts.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the current source includes a battery.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the cell includes a photovoltaic cell.
 7. The system of claim 6,wherein the photovoltaic cell is covered by a protective translucentcover.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the photovoltaic cell comprisesa plurality of photovoltaic cells.
 9. A system for powering anelectric-powered device, the system comprising: means for convertinglight energy received from a light source into electrical current; meansfor controlling current flow, the current-controlling means incommunication with the energy-converting means and a current providingmeans that provides current, wherein the current-controlling meansreceives current from both the energy-converting means and the currentproviding means; and means for outputting current, the output meansbeing part of the current-controlling means and connectable to anelectric-powered device; wherein the current-controlling means drawscurrent from either the energy-converting means or the current providingmeans or a combination thereof and forwards any cumulative current aspower to the device.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein when thecurrent-controlling means detects any current coming from theenergy-converting means, the current-controlling means provides thecurrent to the device and shuts off current from the current providingmeans.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the current-controlling meansreceives current from the energy-converting means and determines a poweroutput for the current, thereby optionally drawing additional currentfrom the current providing means to supplement the current from theenergy-converting means, to generate a pre-determined power level forthe device.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the pre-determined powerlevel is 12 volts.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the currentproviding means includes a battery.
 14. The system of claim 9, whereinthe energy-converting means includes a photovoltaic cell.
 15. The systemof claim 9, wherein the energy-converting means is protected by a meansfor protecting.
 16. The system of claim 9, wherein the energy-convertingmeans comprises a plurality of energy-converting means.
 17. A method forpowering an electric-powered device, the method comprising: exposing anenergy-converting cell to a light source, the cell converting lightenergy received from the light source into electrical current;electrically connecting an adapter with the cell and a current source,wherein the adapter receives current from both the cell and the currentsource, the adapter having an outlet that is connectable to the device,wherein the adapter can draw current from either the cell or the currentsource or a combination thereof; and communicating the electricalcurrent received by the adapter with the device, thereby powering thedevice.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the current source includesa battery.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the cell includes aphotovoltaic cell.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the photovoltaiccell comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells.